Competition in Berlin: Emely Ruf wins second prize for a. hartrodt
Young Freight Forwarder Germany Award also honors the apprenticeship company's contribution.
"We all did a great job," says a delighted Emely Ruf, Sea Freight Projects Specialist at a. hartrodt in Hamburg. The 23-year-old presented her knowledge and skills in April 2024 at the DSLV German Freight Forwarding and Logistics Association office in Berlin in a challenging competition to become the Young Freight Forwarder 2024. She qualified from six finalists for the last round of the “Young Freight Forwarder Germany Award” (YFFGA) and was awarded a ticket to the capital thanks to her top performance. Last Thursday, she achieved second place in the YFFGA at the DSLV annual members' meeting in Berlin. She completed her apprenticeship at a. hartrodt in summer 2023 as Hamburg's best.
Internship abroad and commitment at work
The Husum native wanted to work internationally, so after graduating from high school in August 2020, she began a tri-qualifying apprenticeship in freight forwarding and logistics with an integrated business administration degree at a. hartrodt. Due to her outstanding performance, the company offered her an internship abroad in Malaysia. As a permanent employee, she is pursuing career advancement, and therefore likes to "show more commitment and take on responsibility" at work.
Flexibility, fulfilment, personal support
Completing a bachelor's thesis while working full-time and achieving a very good degree is a challenge even for highly motivated top talents. Emely Ruf is delighted with the support she has received from the company with regard to her studies. "We offer a lot of flexibility, because apprentices want to realize their professional and personal potential, and they increasingly value a good work-life balance," says Katarina Ognjuk, Human Resources Consultant at a. hartrodt. The family business puts great emphasis on personal support – whether on the job, with the bachelor thesis or in private, if requested. However, Emely Ruf emphasizes that a career is not something that comes naturally: "Personal initiative is always part of it."
In summer 2025, she plans to complete her Hamburg Logistics Bachelor’s degree and then move to an international position at a. hartrodt. She can hardly wait to apply the skills she has learned internationally.